The kind of siding maintenance you do—and how frequently you do it—depends on the type of siding your property features. Below are tips to assist your home’s siding in staying gorgeous and offering its full protection for decades.

Wood Siding

Inspect every six months: Do a visual inspection two times a year, checking for indications of damage, like wood rot and termites.

Re-treat every 2 to 5 years: Wood must be re-stained or repainted one time every 5 years to make sure it remains protected. If using a clear sealant, you will have to reapply every 2 years.

Clean on an annual basis: Use a soft-bristled brush and soapy, warm water to remove dust and dirt. Remove mildew using a mixture of 1 part bleach to 4 parts water.

Vinyl Siding

Regularly inspect: Vinyl resists pests and rot, but it may get cracked or warped. Also, it may trap moisture beneath it if it’s damaged, loose, or improperly installed.

Wash on an annual basis: Usually, a garden hose is all that’s needed to rinse dust and dirt from vinyl siding.

Paint as necessary: Over time, vinyl’s color may fade. If you choose to paint it, use a quality exterior latex paint that is in a light color like light grey or white. Darker shades may draw in the heat of the sun and lead to warping.

Fiber Cement Siding

Inspect on an annual basis: Indications of damage may include cracks around or in the siding, mildew, warping, and damaged paint.

Clean every 1 to 3 years: If you do not own a pressure washer, it is possible to wipe down the siding using soapy water or you can rinse it using a hose.

Paint every 10 to 20 years: Fiber cement will hold paint well; however, eventually, you might want to refresh the color. When you choose to paint, make sure you use acrylic, exterior-grade paint.

If you have any comments or questions about the condition of your siding, or if you think it might be time for a replacement or upgrade of your Chattanooga, Tennessee home’s siding, the team at Chattanooga Exteriors is prepared to help in any way we can. Contact us today at (423) 641-4159 for a free siding consultation.